Liquid spray iron



June 15, 1965 B. A. DENTON 3,188,758

LIQUID SPRAY IRON Filed Nov. 20, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.

Inventor Brgce A. Danton June 15, 1965 DENTON 3,188,758

LIQUID SPRAY IRON Filed Nov. 20, 1962 3 Sheets-SheetZ His Attorney June 15, 1965 B. A. DENTON 3,188,753

LIQUID SPRAY IRON Filed Nov. 20, 1962 s Sheets-Sheet 3 [hue/750w 5/ a? 4 Dania/7. (if: Q 4% I y United States Patent O 3,188,758 LIQUHD SPRAY .IRGN Bryce A. Dentou, Qntario, Qalifi, assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Filed Nov. 20, 1962, Ser. No. 239,873 8 (Ilaims. (Cl. 33-48) This is a continuationin-part of an application entitled Liquid Spray Iron by Bryce A. Denton, Serial Number 104,592, filed April 21, 1961, now abandoned.

This invention relates generally to fiatirons, and more particularly to an iron provided with a liquid sprayer powered by steam generated within the iron.

It is well known that the process of ironing fabrics is facilitated when the fabrics are moistened. Certain fabrics, such as linens, have a tendency to stain if discrete drops of liquid are applied to achieve this moistening. Therefore, moistening is more efficaciously achieved it a finely atomized spray of liquid is applied. In an iron in which steam is generated by contact of liquid with the highly heated soleplate, the energy of the steam may be used to power a liquid sprayer. In this manner, the operator can actuate with very little effort a thoroughly effective liquid sprayer.

An object of this invention is to provide an iron having an improved and simplified liquid sprayer capabl of using steam power to discharge a finely atomized liquid on a fabric at the will of the user.

Another object of this invention is to provide an iron having a liquid sprayer, in which steam generated substantially instantaneously within the iron provides the power simultaneously to spray liquid.

. Still another object of thisinvention is to provide a liquid sprayer in a flatir-on in which sprayer operation is cont-rolled by controlling steam generation, thereby eliminating the need for additional valves and controls.

In carrying out the invention, an electric iron or the like is provided having a steam generating chamber therein. A manually operated button is mounted on the iron which charges the steam generating chamber with a limited quantity of steam generating liquid when it is actuated. A steam powered liquid spray mechanism is associated with the steam generating chamber in such a manner that the generated steam discharging at a high velocity automatically and simultaneously discharges a finely atomized spray of liquid.

The invention will be better understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which;

FIG. 1 is a side elevation, partially in section, of a first embodiment of a fiatiron in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation, partially in section, of another embodiment of a fiatiron in accordance with the invention; and

, FIG. 3 is a side elevation, partially in section, of a third embodiment of a flatiron incorporating the invention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an iron is shown provided with a soleplate 1, a cover 2, and an operating handle 3. As may be conventional, the soleplate 1 may be manufactured from a material such as aluminum with an electrical heating element cast in position.

In accordance with the invention, a liquid retaining sump 4 is provided in or adjacent to the soleplate 1 so as to be heated thereby. In the usual manner, a sheathed electric heating element 111 is embedded in soleplate 1. The liquid retaining sump 4 functions as the bottom wall of a steam generating chamber 5, which is further enclosed at the sides and top by a steam dome 6. A liquid reservoir 9 is also provided within the cover 2 of the iron and may be positioned, as shown, above the steam generating chamher 5.

A liquid pump it is provided for charging the steam generating chamber 5 with a measured quantity of steam generating liquid from the liquid reservoir 9. The liquid pump 1th is mounted on the steam dome 6 and is sealed to the dome in such a manner as to prevent loss of steam pressure by leakage. The liquid pump 10 may comprise a cylinder member 12, a piston and piston rod 13, and an actuator button 14 by which downward movement of the piston 13 in the cylinder 12 is achieved. Suitable biasing means, such as the spring 16, may be provided to return the actuator button 14 to its upward position. A oneway valve 17 is provided in the cylinder 12 so that liquid from the liquid reservoir 9 may pass into the metering cylinder 12 of the liquid pump 10. A second one-way valve 13 is provided to enable liquid contained within the cylinder 12 to be discharged into the steam generating chamber 5. Also positioned within the iron, as shown, is a conduit 2%) having its inlet end 21 located within, yet slight above the bottom of the liquid retaining sump 4 and extending through a pressure-tight connection in the steam dome 6 to a discharge end. This discharge end is positioned adjacent the filler funnel 22 and is provided with a suitably shaped nozzle 23 for causing a spraying or atomization of liquid passing through this nozzle. The filler funnel 22, as is conventional, enables the liquid reservoir 9 to be filled with liquid.

In operation, the metering cylinder 12 can be initially filled with a quantity of liquid from the liquid reservoir 9 by depressing and releasing the actuator button 14. The operator, upon desiring a liquid spray, depresses the actuator button 14, thereby causing the piston and rod 13 to descend within the cylinder 12 and forcing the liquid contained in the cylinder 12 into the steam generating chamber 5 through the oneaway valve 18. The liquid is collected in the liquid retaining sump 4, where, due to the heated soleplate 1, a portion of the liquid is changed into steam. The steam produced in the steam generating chamber 5 becomes pressurized due to the sealed construction of this chamber and escapes up the conduit 20, forcing the remaining liquid in the sump through the conduit 20 to the nozzle 23 where it is sprayed out through the filler funnel 22. Upon release, the actuator button 14 is biased upwardly by the spring 16, and the cylinder 1-2 refills with liquid from the liquid reservoir 9 through the one-way valve 17, The liquid spray apparatus is then prepared for another spraying operation. By suitable selection of the spring 16 and the one-way valve 18, the liquid sprayer of this invention can be constructed so as to require only a light touch upon the actuator button 14 to produce spraying action. This result obtains, since the pressure of the steam gene-rated in the chamber 5 provides the motive force for the actual spraying.

For effective atomization of liquid without high pressure, it is desirable that steam issue through conduit 20 and nozzle 23 along with liquid. To insure this result, one or more lateral apertures 21a may be included in the lower end of conduit 20. High velocity steam entering such aperture, or apertures, will aspirate liquid through open lower inlet end 21, whereby liquid and steam will always discharge from nozzle 23.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a second embodiment of the invention will be described. For convenience, those 618? ments which are similar to the elements described in connection with FIG. 1 of the drawings will be given the same reference numerals. An iron is shown having a soleplate 1, a cover 2, and an operating handle 3. A steam generating chamber 5 is formed by utilizing the interior of the soleplate 1 as its bottom wall and enclosing the sides and top by a steam dome 6. A liquid reservoir 9, which may be positioned above the steam generating chamber 5, is provided to contain a liquid. A liquid pump 10, designed to deliver a measured quantity of liquid from the reservoir 9 to the steam tioned on the steam dome 6. The metering cylinder 12 of the liquid pump is designed to containthis measured quantity of liquid until the piston and rod 13 is depressed by means of the actuator button 14, whereupon this liquid will be discharged through the one-way valve 18 into'the steam generating chamber 5. Release of the actuator button 14 allows the piston and rod 13 to return to its upward position under the force of the spring 16. Anneway valve 17 in the wall of the cylinder 12 thenpermits the cylinder to refill with another quantity discharge conduit 30. The discharge end of the steam discharge conduit 30 is located adjacent to the filler funnel 22 which is utilized to fill the liquid reservoir 9 with liquid.

A liquid aspirator conduit 31 is located'so as to have its inlet end positioned within theliquid reservoir 9Vand its discharge end located adjacent to the discharge of'the steam discharge conduit 30.

In operation, upon depression of the actuator button 14 in the manner heretofore described, a measured quantity of liquid will be discharged into the steam generating chamber. Due to the contact of this liquid with the heated soleplate, it will be quickly changed into steam, which then discharges at a high velocity up the steam discharge conduit. The discharge end of the steam discharge conduit 30 and the discharge end of the liquid conduit 31 are so positioned that the steam will aspirate liquid through the liquid conduit from the liquid reservoir 9. The steam,

in acting upon the liquid drawn up the liquid conduit, 7 7

causes this liquid to atomize into a fine spray.

The embodiment of FIG. 3 includes a modified pump arrangement incorporated in an iron having the spray mechanism of the type shown in FIG. 2. For convenience, those elements which are similar to the elements described in connection with FIGS.1. and 2 of the drawings will be given the same reference numerals. As can be seen from FIG. 3, the pump has been remotelypositioned from the steam generating chamber 5. The purpose for such an arrangement is to keep the, temperature within the pump chamber to a minimum so as toprevent the formation of steam within the chamber. The formation of a sufiicient amount of steam within the chamber could interfere withthe operation of the pump due to the resulting pressure rise preventing water from flowing into the chamber.

generating chamber 5, is posiof liquid. Also sealed to the upper wall of the steam dome 6 is a steam,

As one example of this embodiment of the invention,

the reservoir.9 has been formediwith a conduit .35 extendto the lower wall 37 of the ing from the upper Wall 36 reservoir, and 'a pump assembly is positioned within the conduit and supported by The pump chamber 38 is composed of a lower shell 39 and a flexible diaphragm 40 outer peripheries bya suitable retaining member or clamp 41-, which in turn rests upon the upper end of conduit 35. in the upper wall 36 of the reservoir. The diaphragm 40 is preferably made of a rugged flexible material, such as silicone rubber. V V v I Liquid may be drawnfrom reservoir 9 th rough a conduit 42 and a one-Way check valve 43 into thepump chamber. 'Checkvalve 43 includes a housing 44 pump shell 39 and a ball valve member 45 which cooperates with the housing 44 to control the liquid flow. A retaining member 46 limits the movement of ball valve member 45 away from housing 44. Pum chamber 38 is "connected to steam generating chamber 5 by a conduit 47 and a oneway check valve 48. In detail, check valve 48 includes a housing 49 having its lower end attached to conduit 47 and its upper end secured to the pumpshell 39, Agball The :deflector 52 is protheupper reservoir Wall 36.

forming the upper wall. The L shelland diaphragm are secured together around. their secured to valve member 50 is biased upwardly against pump piston positioned in' 40 is formed to normally assume the position shown in FIG. 3, holding the push button 57 in its uppermost position. Alternatively, a spring may be provided to urge 'the diaphragm upwardly.

'Upon initial operation of the device, push button 57 is depressed, lowering diaphragm 40; and upon release of the push button, a slug of water is drawn into the pump chamber 38 through conduit 42 and check valve 43. Upon subsequent depression of push button 57, the liquid within the pump chamber 38 is forced through one-way check valve 48, conduit 47, and into the steam generating cham her 5. Assuming the iron is at a proper temperature, the liquid will be immediately vaporized and the steam will escape from the steam generating chamber up steam tube 30. Thehigh velocity steam escaping from the steam tube 30 will draw water up through tube 31 to be discharged from the iron in a fine spray. Upon release of push button 57, diaphragm 40 will snap upwardly causing another slug of water to be drawn into the pump chamber for the next spray application.

In the above-illustrated and described embodiments, .it may be noted that the liquid sprayer becomesoperative whenever steam is generated; and since the steam is generated substantiallyinstantaneously whenever the soleplate is hot, the sprayer can be operated at any time. It is not necessary that the liquid in the reservoir near the boiling point, and steam condensation into the liquid in the reservoir is no problem. Furthermore, control of liquid sprayer operationissimply and reliably elfected by the discharge of a limited ormeasured quantity of liquid from the reservoir into the steam generator. 1

While particular embodiments of irons employing this invention have been shown'and"described,"it will be obvlous'that-changes and modifications can be made with- 'out departing from the spirit of the invention and the ond one-way valve providing liquiddischarge from said.

pump chamber into said steam generating chamber, a

said pump chamber, means for to inject a measured quantity of liquid into said ,steam generating chamber, heating means for :saidstearn gendischarge portionalito the quantity eratingrchamberl 2. In a liquid' spray iron as defined in claim 1 whereinsaid liquid is introduced into thev path of the steam at said discharge end of said conduit. l

3. In a liquid spray ironfa liquid reservoir, a steam generating chamber, manually operable means for forcing a measured quantity of liquid to said steam generating chamber, heating means for said steam generating chamber, a continuously open'steam' discharge conduit extending upwardly from said steam generating chamber and terminating in a nozzle, and a liquid conduit extending upwardly from said liquid reservoir discharging adjacent said nozzle, whereby said liquid will be aspirated from said: liquid reservoir .to spray a measuredquantity a liquid reservoir, a steam piston in said liquid chamber of liquid proportional to the quantity of liquid forced into said generating chamber.

4. In a liquid spray iron, a liquid reservoir, a steam generating chamber, a liquid pump chamber, a one-way valve providing liquid flow from said reservoir into said pump chamber, a second one-way valve providing discharge from said pump chamber into said steam generating chamber, a pump piston positioned in said pump chamber, means for causing movement of said piston in said liquid pump chamber to inject forcibly a measured quantity of liquid into said steam generating chamber, heating means for said steam generating chamber, whereby liquid therein is converted into steam, a continuously open steam discharge conduit extending upwardly from said steam generating chamber and terminating in a restricted nozzle, and a liquid conduit from said liquid reservoir discharging adjacent said nozzle, whereby said liquid will be aspirated from said liquid reservoir and sprayed as steam is discharged at high velocity from said nozzle in a measured quantity proportional to the quantity of liquid injected into said generating chamber.

5. In a liquid spray iron, a liquid reservoir, a steam generating chamber, a manually operable positive displacement pump for forcing a measured quantity of liquid into said steam generating chamber from said liquid reservoir, said pump including a housing positioned remote from said steam generating chamber and including means for permitting liquid flow from said reservoir to said housing and from the housing to said chamber, heating means for said steam generating chamber, a restricted steam discharge conduit for producing a high velocity flow of generated steam from said steam generating chamber extending from an inlet end in said chamber to a discharge end, and means for introducing liquid into the path of the steam, whereby liquid will be sprayed from the vicinity of the discharge end of said conduit.

6. In a liquid spray iron, a steam generating chamber, a liquid reservoir positioned over said steam generating chamber, a manually operable positive displacement pump for forcing a measured quantity of liquid into said steam generating chamber from said liquid reservoir, said pump including a housing positioned adjacent to the upper wall of said reservoir and including means for permitting liquid flow from said reservoir to said housing and from the housing to said chamber, heating means for said steam generating chamber, a steam discharge conduit for producing a high velocity flow of generated steam from said steam generating chamber to a discharge end 6 directed to the exterior of the iron, and means for introducing liquid into the path of the steam, whereby liquid will be sprayed from the vicinity of the discharge end of said conduit.

7. In a liquid spray iron, a liquid reservoir, a steam generating chamber, a liquid metering pump including a pump chamber, a one-Way valve permitting liquid fiow from said reservoir into said pump chamber, a second one-way valve permitting liquid discharge from said pump chamber into said steam generating chamber, a flexible diaphragm forming a wall portion of said pump chamber, means for causing movement of said flexible diaphragm to discharge a measured quantity of liquid into said steam generating chamber, heating means for said steam generating chamber, a steam discharge conduit for producing a flow of generated steam from said steam generating chamber extending from an inlet end positioned in said steam generating chamber to a discharge end, and means for introducing liquid into the path of the steam, whereby liquid will be sprayed from the vicinity of the discharge end of said conduit.

8. In a liquid spray iron, a liquid reservoir, a steam generating chamber, a manually operable positive displacement pump for forcing a measured quantity of liquid into said steam generating chamber from said liquid reservoir, heating means for said steam generating chamber, a continuously open and restricted steam discharge conduit for producing a high velocity flow of generated steam from said steam generating chamber, said steam discharge conduit extending from an inlet end positioned in said chamber to a discharge end, and means for introducing liquid by aspiration into the path of the steam at said discharge end of said conduit, whereby a measured quantity of liquid will be sprayed from the vicinity of the discharge end of said conduit upon each injection of liquid into said steam generating chamber. 7

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,843,568 2/32 Ledbetter 38-77 2,483,579 10/ 49 Green 38-7'7 2,817,169 12/57 Schott 38-78 3,001,305 9/61 Sardeson 3877 3,002,302 10/61 Flowers 38-77 3,130,507 4/64 Hoecker 38-77 JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner. DAVID J. WILLIAMOWSKY, Examiner.

Disclaimer 3,188,758.B1-ycc A. Demon, Ontario, Calif. LIQUID SPRAY IRON. Patent dated June 15, 1965. Disclaimer filed Mar. 29, 1968, by the assignee, Geneml Electric Company.

Hereby enters this disclaimer to claims 1, 2, 3, 4-

I 5, (i, and 8 of said patent. [Ofli'czal Gazette July 52, 11968.] 

1. IN A LIQUID SPRAY IRON, A LIQUID RESERVOIR, A STEAM GENERATING CHAMBER, A POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT LIQUID METERING PUMP CHAMBER, A ONE-WAY VALVE PROVIDING LIQUID FLOW FROM SAID RESERVOIR INTO SAID PUMP CHAMBER, A SECOND ONE-WAY VALVE PROVIDING LIQUID DISCHARGE FROM SAID PUMP CHAMBER INTO SAID STEAM GENERATING CHAMBER, A PUMP PISTON POSITIONED IN SAID PUMP CHAMBER, MEANS FOR CAUSING MOVEMENT OF SAID PISTON IN SAID LIQUID CHAMBER TO INJECT A MEASURED QUANTITY OF LIQUID INTO SAID STEAM GENERATION CHAMBER, HEATING MEANS FOR SAID STEAM GENERATING CHAMBER, A CONTINUOUSLY OPEN STEAM DISCHARGE CONDUIT FOR PRODUCING A FLOW OF GENERATED STEAM FROM SAID STEAM GENERATING CHAMBER EXTENDING FROM AND INLET END POSITIONED IN SAID STEAM GENERATING CHAMBER TO A DISCHAGE END, AND MEANS FOR INTRODUCING LIQUID FROM SAID RESERVOIR BY ASPIRATION INTO THE PATH OF THE STEAM, WHEREBY SAID LIQUID WILL BE SPRAYED FROM THE VICINITY OF THE DISCHARGE END OF SAID CONDUIT IN A MEASURED QUANTITY PROPORTIONAL TO THE QUANTITY OF LIQUID INJECTED INTO SAID GENERATING CHAMBER. 